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U.S. Department of Energy
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Alternative cathodes for molten carbonate fuel cells

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/226115· OSTI ID:226115

Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) is developing advanced cathodes for pressurized operation of the molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC). The present cathode, lithiated nickel oxide, tends to transport to the anode of the MCFC, where it is deposited as metallic nickel. The rate of transport increases with increasing CO{sub 2} pressure. This increase is due to an increased solubility of nickel oxide (NiO) in the molten carbonate electrolyte. An alternative cathode is lithium cobaltate (LiCoO{sub 2})-Solid solutions of LiCoO{sub 2} in LiFeO{sub 2} show promise for long-lived cathode materials. We have found that small additions of LiCoO{sub 2} to LiFeO{sub 2} markedly decrease the resistivity of the cathode material. Cells containing the LiCoO{sub 2}-LiFeO{sub 2} cathodes have stable performance for more than 2100 h of operation and display lower cobalt migration.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
226115
Report Number(s):
ANL/CMT/CP--89284; CONF-9604102--2; ON: DE96008419
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English